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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: ruler · fork · cap · cabinet · pitch · perch · saw · rock

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  3. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  4. He works in a ________________ mill.
  5. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  6. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  9. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  13. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  14. She's very handy with a ________________.
  15. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  16. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  17. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  18. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  19. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  22. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  23. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  24. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. cap — a hat
  3. perch — the fish
  4. saw — the tool
  5. fork — in a road
  6. pitch — completely
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. cap — a lid
  9. cap — of ice
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. fork — a garden tool
  13. rock — music
  14. saw — the tool
  15. saw — past of 'see'
  16. pitch — a sports field
  17. cabinet — a cupboard
  18. rock — a stone
  19. perch — for a bird
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. fork — to eat with
  22. pitch — a sales talk
  23. rock — to move gently
  24. perch — for a bird

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com